As a US territory, Puerto Rico is perpetually stuck in limbo. The people there are subject to federal laws but don’t have a vote for president or Congress. Which is a major problem when it comes to responding to disasters like Hurricane Fiona, which hit the Island last month.
Many Puerto Ricans are deeply frustrated by what they claim has been a slow and inefficient response from a federal government that they have no say in.
Some want statehood, some want more autonomy. A small but growing group of people want independence.
That group incudes Jaquira Diaz. The author, who recently wrote the essay, “Let Puerto Rico Be Free”, for The Atlantic, spoke to NPR’s Ailsa Chang.